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March 12, 1940. 5, osE

' awcmuc WATER: HEATER Oriiinal Filed Aug. 5. 1937 2 Sheets-SheeLZ 'nvwnv 7-00 m M .a E J m 3 m; Mar. 12, 1940. I R 21393.

ELECTRIC W'A'IEB HEATER Joseph S. Losee, Hebron, 111., assignor to Loses Il;ll'i0dlilct5 Company, Hebron, 111., a company of I no s Original No. 2,146,022, dated February 7, 1939, Serial No. 157,474, August 5, 1931. Application for reissue October 9, 1939, Serial No. 298,712

20 Claims. (Cl. 219-39) My present invention I relates in general tor A further object of the present invention is to water heaters, and more particularly to electric minimize loss of heat from the reservoir by conheaters wherein the heated water is maintained duction and radiation. at temperatures within predetermined limits. These and other numerous objects, advantages,

An important object of the present invention is and inherent functions of the invention will be- 5 to provide economical means for maintaining, in come apparent as the same is more fully under- 1 a suitable reservoir, a supply of hot wateravailstood from the following description,which,-taken' able foruse at all times; a further object being in connection with the accompanying drawings, to provide, in said heater, means for preventing discloses a preferred'embodiment of the-invenheat loss through supply and delivery pipes comtion. l0

municating' with saidreservoir. Referring to the drawings:

A further object is to provide a simplified dis- Figure 1' is a perspective view or a heater unit placement heater adapted to discharge hot water embodying my present invention in association from the reservoir through the delivery pipe upon with a conventional washtubin position to rethe introduction of cold water to said reservoir ceive hot water discharged from the heater; and

for heating, the cold water so introduced acting Figure 2 is a vertical section through the heatto displace an equivalent quantity of hot water er unit taken substantially along the line 2-2in from the reservoir. Figure 1.

A further object is to provide a heater of the To illustrate my invention I have shown on character mentioned having means for delivering the drawings a heater unit A in association with '20 cold water by gravity to the reservoir for heat- ,a receiver B, which forms no part of this invening; a further object being to provide funnel tion but which is shown for the purpose of illusmeans in position above and draining into the trating a valuable feature of: the invention, con reservoir and into which funnel means cold water sisting in the arrangement whereby hot water may be poured for drainage, thence by gravity is discharged from the heater at an appreciable 25 into the reservoir for heating; a still further obelevation for delivery into receivers'of substantial ject being to arrange the hot water delivery pipe height, such as the conventional washtub shown.

in position at or adjacent the top of the reservoir The water heating unit A comprises a reservoir so h heated Water y e scharged at an or heating tank having preferably a cylindrical appreciable elevation for delivery into receptaside wall III, a top wall or head ll,'and a bottom cles of substantial height whereby the cold water wall or head l2. This heating tank is enclosed receiving funnel, in the assembly, may be posiwithin a casing, as clearly shown in Figure 2 of tioned only sufficiently above the hot water disthe drawings, having preferably a cylindrical side charge pipe to enable hot water to be'delivered wall I3, a top head I, and a bottom head l5.

from the reservoir by cold water displacement The bottom wall or head l5 of the casing is preftherein, thus permitting the arrangement of the erably formed as an element separate from the funnel at an elevation with respect to the unit side walls l3, and is provided with a peripheral permitting cold water easily to be poured into the flange l6 adapted to receive the bottom edge of funnel without requiring undue lifting of the cold the casing wall l3, which is secured to said flange water. in any suitable or preferred fashion. The mem- 40 A further object of the present invention is her l5 may be provided with sockets II for the to provide for convenient access to a heating elereception of supporting legs l8 whereby the casment and a control thermostat uscd'in heating ing and the heating tank therein may be supand maintaining the temperature of water in the ported at a desired elevation from the floor or is r serv ir where y aid th r n he n other foundation on which the unit may be set element may be conveniently inspected, removed, 5 for use. The water heating tank is preferably and replaced. v supported on the member l5 by means of blocks Another object o the invention is to arrange or strips l9 which preferably comprise wooden the heating element in the bottom of the reservoir elements. I r

5:) whereby. upon removal of theheating-element, The member I5 is formed with a central openthe reservoir may be drained. 'ing 20 defined by an annular flange 2| which Another important object, is to construct and serves to position and support a sleeve member arrange the heater" so that the reservoir cannot 22 extending from the opening 20 upwardly-of he accidentally or carelessly drained of water the member litoward the bottom of the heating ,5 while the heater unit is inplace. j tank, said sleeve 22 terminating short of the 56 preferably extend sition.

bottom i2 of the heating tankto define a chamber C, in which at least portions of said bottom wall l2 are exposed.

I provide a removable lid or cover 23 for closing the opening in the member l5, and suitable means 24, the member I! preferably .comprising clips, on for holding the lid in closed po- Insulating material 25 is packed into the space between the top heads and side walls of the heating tank and casingand between the membet I! and the wall I2 of the heating tank out-" wardly of said chamber C, defined by the sleeve member 22. ,The chamber C likewise may be packed with insulating material sothat the heating tank is completely insulated against heat transfer by casing.

Suitable conduit means is provided for introducing water for heating, preferably at the top of the unit, and delivering the 'same into the tank, preferably at the bottom thereof. Conduit means is also provided for discharging hot water preferabiyfrom the top of the heating tank.

.A heating element D, preferably comprising an electrical emersion heater preferably supported on a screw-threaded, plug-forming portion, is mounted on the'bottom wall i2 of the heating tank in position extending within saidtank. Said element thus may be mounted in an opening forming a drain in said bottom, wall defined by a flange of the threaded heater supporting portion whereby said threaded portion forms a closure for said opening. When the heater is in place, water introduced to the heating tank will be retained therein against escape through said drain opening, and it is thus apparent that the tank, after being initially filled and so long ,as the heater is in place, will remain charged with water, since the'outlet conduit arrangement at the top of the tank is arranged to trap a body of water in the tank at all times. When the heater element, however, is removed, water may be drained from said heating tank through said opening.

Thermostatic meansE also is provided in heat exchange relationship with the heating tank, said thermostatic means preferably comprising a switch-member secured on the bottom wall l2 of the" heating tank and electrically connected with said. heater and. suitable conductors "3i which 7 through an insulated opening formed in "the cover 23, said conductorspreferably terminating in an electrical connector 32 to .facilitateelectrical connection with a source of electrical power for energizing the heater."

The conduit means provided for introducing cold water to the heating tank preferably extends through the outer casing, the insulation 25, and into the heating tank, and terminates preferably adjacent the bottom wall l2 of the heat-- ing chamber in,the vicinity, of the thermostatic control means Theconduit means preferably extends throughthe top wall ll of'the casing and the top head of the heating tank, and, the same, asshown, may comprise a pipe 38' extend- .ing in the heating tank'and held at one end in a metal nipple 36 which is screw-threaded into a flangemember l1 fastened in the head ii of .the

heating tank so-that one endcf said pipe J8 opens outwardly of the heating tank and is connected through the top wall ll of the enclosing casing with a 'source of supply of cold water,

heat insulating means being provided to'in-.

conduction therefrom to the outer threaded for the reception 7 without requiring undue insulating means 42 in they illustrated eases sulate the pipe 38 againsta transfer of heat therefrom to said outer casing.

As shown in the accompanying drawings, the insulating means 35 may comprise a sleeve-like member .of rubber-like material interposed between the pipe 38 and the opening in the cute: casing through which the cold water delivery conduit extends. Furthermore, the sleeve-like heat insulating member 35 may form a part of said cold water conduit and serve to interconnect the pipe 38 with the cold water supply, which, in

the illustrated embodiment, comprises a tank'33 supported at the top of the casing and having an outlet pipe 34 connected through the insulating member 3! with the pipe 38.

By pouring cold water into the supply tank 33, cold water will be delivered by gravity through the inlet conduit into the heating tank, the inlet conduit being preferably, though not essentially, arranged to introduce the cold water at the bottom of the heating tank directly in heat exchange relationship with respect to the control thermostat E. 1

I preferably arrange to discharge hot, water from the heating tank through an outlet extending from the top of the heating tank later ally through the insulation 25'and the side wall of the outer casing, so that hot water will be discharged by displacement-upon the introduction of cold water into the heating tank, said hot water outlet being arranged to deliver hot water substantially at the top of the unit in order to permit the same to be. caught in receptacles of appreciable height such as the washtub B; and it will be noted that the cold water supply tank 33 is atan elevation sufilciently above the hot water discharge outlet to insure delivery of hot water by displacement so that cold water may easily be poured into the supply tank 33 lifting of cold water above the hot water outlet.

The hot water outlet comprises a conduit connected at one end in the upper portions of the heating tank and extending thence through the insulation 25 and through the outer casing,

the conduit beingpreferably, connected in the top wall J l of the heating tank and extending through an opening'in the side wall I3 of the casing. I provide means for insulating the heating tank against heat loss to the outer casing by'conduction along the outlet conduit, said insulating means preferably comprising an annular or sleeve-like member 42 of rubber-like material extending in the opening in the wall l3 through which said outlet conduit projects. As shown in the drawings, the outletconduit comprises an elbow 40 of metallic material, one end of which is connected in an opening defined in the, top wall ll of the heating tank. The other end of the elbow is connected with a pipe ll forming a part of the outlet conduit, which pipe is insulated by the member l2 against heat transfer therefrom to the walls -of theouter casing, the

embodiment comprising a, sleeve-like hose of rubberlike material connected at one end on the pipe ll within the enclosing casing, and projecting at the other end outwardly of said casing.

To attach the elbow to in the top wall U, the

same is'preferably screw-threaded in the member 31 in which the inlet conduit 38 is likewise mounted; the end of the elbow S'Lpreferably extending a short distance into the tank below the member 8]. The outlet conduit is positioned preferably at a slight downwardly extending an shown at the places where the same extend through thewalls of the housing l4.

When the tank, is charged with water, the maximum liquid level within the tank ord narily is not higher than the lower end of the elbow 40. After such level is reached, in charging the tank, water will rise in the inlet conduit to form a head. So long as such head is above the level 1 of the bottom of the opening in the outlet conduit 4|, water will be forced out of the tank through the outlet conduit, and this discharge will continue until a condition substantially as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings is reached.

' It is possible, of course, that a siphon action may be set up and cause water to fiow out of the discharge pipe and thus draw the liquid in the tube 38, somewhat below the level shown in Figure 2, before the siphon is broken. However, as soon as the siphon is broken, the liquid will tend to return at least to levels substantially as shown in Figure 2,. so that the heating tank may be sealed against the escape of free vapor which may gather in the top of the tank l0 above the liquid level therein. I

It will thus be seen that I have provided a device in which the transfer of heat outwardly of the tank I!) to the housing I4 or the charging tank 33, or to the exterior of the unit, is substantially prevented, heat loss prevention being accomplished not only by insulating the tank but by arranging the inlet and outlet conduits with heat insulating means 35 and 42 adapted to prevent heat conduction from the tank Ill to the housing I4 through said inlet and discharge conduits. In this connection it 'will be noted that the sleeves 35 and 42 which provide insulation against heat conduction from the tank Ill to the tank l4 do not normally contain water which might serve as a heat conducting path.

While the device of my present invention is well adapted for domestic use, as for example in kitchens, bathrooms, and basements, the heater is particularly well suited for dairy farm service, as for example in farm milk houses where an abundant supply of hot water is not only a conveniencebut a necessity in maintaining high standards of cleanliness. tures of my invention render the device particularly eflicient for use in milk houses and other locations where the circumambient atmosphere vention of heat loss from the tank Ill to the housing i4 and the circumambient atmosphere,

The device of my present invention is also designed to facilitate use. In order to obtain a de sired quantity of hot water, it is merely necessary to pour an equivalent quantity of cold water into the charging tank 33, whereupon substantially the required amount of hot water will be discharged through the outlet conduit. The amount of water discharged, of course, is not necessarily the exact same ,volume poured into the tank 33, but the quantity discharged will besubstantially equivalent to the amount of cold water charged into the heater, the discrepancy, if any, being attributable to such siphonic action as may be set upat the outlet elbow ill; or the expansion merely for the The heat saving fea- 01' water when heated, or other negligible effects.

The cold water introduced to the tank through the pipe 38 is directed to and will accumulate at the bottom of the tank, the hot water being always drained from the top of the tank. As

soon as cold water is added, the'switch E will be operated to energize the heating element D in order to bring the cold water in the tank up to the desired temperature' The thermostat, of course, may be set to energize the heate'rat any desired temperature, and to deenergize the heater at a highertemperature as soon as the water in the tank shall have reached such higher temperature.

The heat conserving features of my present invention make it possible thus to set the lower or heat starting temperature of the thermostat substantially lower than the maximum or heater cut-out temperature, since the device of my present invention will retain a volume of water at a desired temperature-for many hours without warranting the automatic reenergizing of the heater in order to maintain the temperature; and in order to prevent frequent siphoning of the heater, I prefer to set the thermostat with asubstantial difference between the heater-starting, and cut oif temperature limits, although, of course, the thermostat may be adjusted between any desired limits.

It is thought that the invention and its numerous attendant advantages will be fully understood from the foregoing description, and it is obvious that numerous changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the several parts without departing from'the spirit and scope of the invention, nor sacrificing its attendant advantages, the form herein disclosed being purpose of demonstrating the invention.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A device of the class described, comprising a. water tank having heating means at the bottom thereof, a normally empty supply tank secured to the top of said water tank and having a drain tube extending through the top of and to near the bottom of said tank, a normally empty outlet pipe having a connection into the top of said tank, whereby water poured into said supply tank drain tube and outlet pipe being adapted to act .as a seal to prevent the escape of freed vapor.

2. A device of the class described, comprising a'watertank having heating means at the bottom thereof ,a supply tank positioned above and spaced from the top of said water tank and having an open drain tube extending through the top of and to near the bottom of said water tank, a normally empty outlet pipe having a connection into the top of said water tank. whereby water poured into said supply tank is free to flow into said water tank and cause a corresponding quantity to be displaced and escape through said outlet pipe, said heating means comprising an electric heating element extending into the bottom of said water tank and having an operatively connected thermostat controlled switch, whereby the water in said water tank will be heated and held at a temperature within predetermined limits, the portion of said drain tube between said tanks being made of a heat resisting material.

3. A device of the class described, comprising an inclosure having therein a closed water tank of a size providing an insulating spuce'between the tank and enclosure, a supply tank positioned 4 above said inclosure having a normally empty tube extending through the upper ends of said inclosure and water tank and extending to near the bottom of said water tank, a normally empty open water outlet connection in the top ,of said tank and extending transversely through said insulating space, an electric heating element extending into said water tank nearthe bottom thereof and having an operativelyconnected thermally controlled switch in heat exchange contact with said tank whereby the 'water temperature in said'tank will be maintained, and whereby a quantity of water poured into said supply tank will cause a corresponding quantity to escape from said water tank through said outlet tubel 4. A device of the class described, comprising an inclosurehaving therein a closed water tank oi" a size providing, between the tank and, enclosure, aninsulating space filled with an insulating material, a supply tank positioned above said device having a drain tube extending through the upper heads of said inclosure and water tank" and to near the bottom of-said water tank, an

open water outlet connection in the top of said water tank and extending, through said insulating space, an electric heating element in heat exchange contact with the water in said tank near the bottom thereof and having an operatively connected thermally controlled switch whereby the water temperature in said tank will be maintained, and whereby a quantity of water poured into said supply tank will cause a corresponding quantity to escape through said outlet tube, said drain tube and outlet connection being positioned to thereby remain normally 'empty in the portion passing through said insulating material.

5. A device of the class described'ycomprising an enclosure having therein a closed water tank of a size providing an' insulating space between the tank and enclosure, a supply tank positioned above said enclosure having a drain tube extending through the wall of said .enclosure, through said insulating space and into said water tank terminating near the bottom thereof, an outlet connection at the top of said water tank extend-' ing through said insulating space to the exterior,

the portion of said outlet connection extending through said insulatingspace and to the end of the tube being adapted to remain normally empty and to also cause said supply tank and its drain tube to remain normally empty to a point adjacent the top of said water tank, whereby a quantity of water poured into said supply tank will flow into said water tank and cause a corresponding quantity to escape through said outlet tube, an, electric heating element positioned "at or near the bottom of said tank and adapted to heat the water therein and being operatively con; nected to a thermally controlled switch, said switch being inheat exchange relation with said, tank and having means whereby the water in I ansas space, an electric heating element extending into said tank near the bottom thereof and having an operatively connected thermally controlled switch the water temperature in said tank will be maintained, and whereby a quantity of water poured into said supply tank will cause a corresponding quantity to escape from said said outlet tube. I

"1. A device of the class described, comprising a housing having therein a closed tank of a size providing, between the tank and housing, a space filled with insulating material, means in the bottom of said tank forheating liquid therein, a vertlcally positioned supply tube extending through said insulating material and the tops of said housing and tank to near the bottom of said tank, an open liquid outlet tube connection in the top of said tank and extending to the exterior of said housing, the part of said supply'and outlet tube extending through said insulating material comprising heat insulating material to thereby prevent heat transfer from said tank to said housing or to the exterior, said supply and l outlet tubes being positioned to thereby remain normally empty in the portion thereof which is positioned in said insulated space. v

8. A device of the class described, comprising a housing having therein a water tank leaving a space filled withinsulating'material between the tank and'housing, means near the bottom of saidtank adapted to heat the water in heat exchange contact with said tank whereby liquid ta through therein, a supply tank positioned above said housing and having an open drain connection through the tops. of said housing and water tank and extending downward to near the bottom of said water tank, an open outlet pipe extending from the top of said water tank through said insulating material and housing, whereby when a quantity of water is placed in said supply tank it will flow into said water tank and cause a. corresponding quantity to be displaced and escape through said outlet pipe, portions of said outlet connection and drain pipe in said space ,being made from heat insulating material, said I portions being positioned whereby they will remain normally clear of liquid. v

9. A device of theclass described, comprising a housing having therein a closed liquid tankof a .size.providing, between the tank and housing, a space filled with insulating material, means at the bottom of said tank for heating the liquid therein, normally open inlet and outlet connections for said tank, at least a portion of said connections e ding in saidspage being, made ofheat insulating material.

10.. A device of the class described, comprising a closed water tank having'a heat insulating covering, a relatively small access opening in the bottom of said covering to said tank. means in said opening adapted to extend into the bottom ii. A device -of the classdescribed, comprising in combination a normally full water tank having aheat insulating container, means adapted to heat the water in the bottom of said tank by means of heat exchange contact therewith,

'means for delivering water irom the top oi said tank, a vertically and centrally positioned inlet pipe extended to near the bottom of the tank and protruding through said container, a filler tank having a rotatable drain connection at one side to said protruding end, said filler tank having supporting means'spacedfrom said protruding end, whereby it may be rotated and supported in any desired position around said protruding end.

12. A device of the class described, comprising a housing having therein a liquid tank, insulating material within the housing and around the tank, means for heating liquid in the. tank, an inlet conduit opening outwardly of said housing and opening into the tank, an outlet conduit connected to the tank and extending thence through and openingoutwardly of said housing, and. heat insulating means comprising an annular member associated with at least one of said conduits for preventing heat transfer from said tank to said housing by conduction along the conduit.

13. A device of the class described, comprising a housing having therein a liquid tank, insulating material within the housing and around the tank, means for heating liquid in the tank, an

inlet conduit opening outwardly of said housingand opening into the tank, an outlet conduit connected to the tank and extending thence. through and opening outwardly of said housing, and heat insulating means comprising an annular mem-- ber associated with at least one of said conduits for preventing heat transfer from said tank to said housing by conduction along the conduit, said insulating means extending in an opening of said housing through which said conduit passes.

14. A device of the class described, comprising a housing having therein a. liquid tank, insulating material within the housing and around the tank, means for heating liquid in the tank, an

inlet conduit opening outwardly of said housing and opening into the tank, an outlet conduit connected to the tank and extending thence through and opening outwardly of said housing, and heat insulating means comprising an annular member associated with at least one of said conduits for preventing heat transfer from said tank to said housing by conduction along the conduit, said heat insulating means comprising a sleeve forming apart of said conduit extending between said tank and housing. I

15. A device of the class described, comprising a housing having therein a liquid tank, insulating material within the housing and around the tank, means for heating liquid in the tank, an inlet conduit opening outwardly of said housing and opening into the tank, an outlet conduit connected to the tank and extending thence through and opening outwardly of said housing, and, heat insulating means comprising an annular member associated with at least one of said conduits inlet conduit opening outwardly of said housing and opening into the tank, an outlet conduit con nected to the tank and extending thence through and opening outwardly of said housing, heat insulating means comprising an annular associated with atleast one of .said conduitsrior preventing heat transfer from said tank'to'rsald .housing by conduction along theconduit, and

means forming a supply receiver at the topg-of said housing and connected with said inlet conduit' to deliver liquid by gravity from the supply receiver into said tank.

, 17. A device of the class described comprising a housing having therein a liquid tank, insulating material within the housing and around the tank, means for heatingliquid in the tank, an inlet conduit opening outwardly of said housing and openin -into the tank, an outlet conduit connected to the tank and extending thence through and opening outwardly of said housing, and heat insulating means comprising an annular member associated with at least one of said conduits. for. preventing heat transfer from said tank to said housing by conduction along 'the conduit, saidoutlet conduit being connected in the tank to receive liquid from the upper portions of the tank and said outlet conduit extending outwardly of the housing at an elevation substantially opposite the top of the tank whereby liquid discharged through said' outlet may be delivered at an elevation substantially above the bottom of the device to facilitate catchment of the discha'rge liquid in receptacles of appreciable height.

18. A device of the class described, comprising a housing having therei.1 a liquid tank, insulating material within the housing and around the tank, means for heating liquid in the tank, an inlet conduit opening outwardly of said housing and opening into the tank, an outlet conduit connected to the tank and extending thence through an opening outwardly of said housing, heat insulating means comprising an annular member associated with at least one of said conduits for preventing heat transfer from said tank to said housing by conduction along the conduit, means forming a supply receiver at the top of said housing and connected with said inlet conduit to deliver liquid by gravity from the supply receiver into said tank, said outlet conduit being connected in the tank to receive liquid from the upper portions of the tank and said outlet conduit extending outwardly of the housing at an elevation substantially opposite the top of the tank whereby liquid discharged through said outlet may be delivered at an elevation substantially above the bottom of the device to facilitate catchment of the discharged liquidin receptacles of appreciable height, and wherein the supply receiver is at a minimum elevation above said discharge outlet to allow cold liquid easily to be poured into the supply receiver without undue lifting. I

19. A liquid heater comprising a tank, jacketing means for said tank comprising a housing surrounding the tank and heat insulating means within the housing around the tank, an electric heater operatively associated with the tank to heat liquid therein and including electrical connections forming a heater energizing circuit, a thermostat operatively associated with said tank inheat exchange relationship with liquid therein, a switch controlled by said thermostat and controllingly associated with said heater energizing circuit, means forming an outlet conduit opening outwardly of the jacketing means substantially opposite the top of the tank, said conduit being connected to receive liquid at the upper portions of said tank, means forming a supply receiver at the top of the housing, means forming an inlet to check heat flow from the tank to the housing along said conduit.

20. A liquid heater comprising a tank having an aperture in its bottom, removable closure means for sealing said aperture, ia'cketing means for said tank comprising a housing surrounding said tank, means supporting said tank in said housing, heat insulating material surrounding said tank within said housing, said Jacketing means having an opening therein affording access to the bottom of said tank and removable cover means for closing said opening and heat insulating the bottom of said tank, a heater on said closure means and extending within said tank, said heater including electrical connections extendingthrough said closure means and outwardly of said tank to form an energizing circuit ror said heater, a thermostat on the bottom or 'said tank and in heat exchange relationship with liquid therein, a switch controlled by said thermostat and controllingly associated with said heater energizing circuit, conduit means forming an inlet through said jacketing means into said tank and comprising an inlet pipe opening outwardly of and sealed in the top of the tank and having an end disposed within the tank adjacent the bottom thereof in position to direct liquid, introduced to the conduit means from outside the housing, immediately in, heat exchange relationship' with respect to said thermostat, conduit means forming an outlet extending through the jacketing means substantially opposite the topo! the tank and comprising an outlet pipe extending through and sealed in the upper pot tions of said tank, and heat insulating means comprising an annular member of rubber-like material engaging at least one of said pipes in position with respect to said housing to prevent heat transfer from the tank to the housing by conduction along the conduit means.

JOSEPH s. Loans." at 

